I've noticed that when I travel to Europe, I lose weight while eating like a queen and drinking wine. We're talking rich foods with lots of butter, cheese, bread, pastries, potatoes and red meat. Fewer vegetables, less protein, less fiber, more refined carbs, more fat, more alcohol. Everything we are not supposed to do. I end up losing 3-6 pounds in a week. This happened in Portugal, Germany and Spain, three separate years in a row.

I'm pretty sure it's the food quality in Europe. The EU has very different standards for food regulation. Sure, I walk more in Europe but I'm active here, and furthermore when I increase my activity to an equivalent amount in the US, it doesn't have an effect.

I've been considering switching to Organic food in the US and higher quality meats--grass fed, wild, etc. Switching from shopping at Aldi and Safeway to shopping at Whole Foods and organic grocery stores. This would really increase my monthly food budget, probably doubling my grocery bills from about $400 per month to $800 or more.

Has anyone made this switch and did it help your health or cause you to lose weight in the way that expat Americans lose in Europe?

I'm 44 years old and overweight all over but my stomach/mid section is huge. I bet many strangers have assumed I'm pregnant. My neck has also become pretty thick. I'll do almost anything to slim down 😭

What tests did you get done other than ultrasound/testosterone LH FSH? Also how did you treat it I am currently taking Metformin and myoinositol

I'm 18 and i have this theory......since I have pcos and have less than 4-5 periods a year without consistant birth control. Does this mean I have more eggs? and when i do bleed i release more than 1 egg. What if i release 3 eggs! What if in some years I have children. I could have twins/triplets if I release 2 or more eggs at once! What if I could have five kids at once! (My bio teacher told us something like this when we were learning about blood affinity in the placenta)

Plus this isnt a theory but a question i have which is, how does pcos affect menopause? anyone has experience

I'm just curious and would love if anyone has fun theories to read

Thanks for reading <3

(ignore my stupidness)

Ive finished my first trial of metformin and now my mum wants me to take 25ml of asokarishtam twice a day. . Has anyone tried this or anything similar? Did u see any improvements? Ive had a hard time noticing improvements in my physical health on other medications so im rly hoping this one does something!! (especially cus i really dont like the taste so I hope its not for nothing)

This is what my report says on mychart! I am medically retarded and can’t tell what it means! I am taking these test to determine if I have PCOS!

Impression
1. Normal sonographic appearance of the uterus.
2. Hemorrhagic cyst on the right ovary-ORADS 2
3. Simple cyst on the left ovary.
4. Ovarian follicles are displaced to the periphery which can be seen with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Date: 07/19/2026 Time: 17:48

Narrative
EXAMINATION: US PELVIS COMP WITH TRANSVAG NON-OB (XPD)
CLINICAL HISTORY: suspected PCOS, Oligomenorrhea; Female infertility, unspecified
TECHNIQUE: Transabdominal sonography of the pelvis was performed, followed by transvaginal sonography to better evaluate the uterus and ovaries.
COMPARISON: None.
FINDINGS:
Uterus: Size: 6.8 x 3.5 x 4.9 cm
Masses: None
Endometrium: Normal in this pre menopausal patient, measuring 13 mm.
Right ovary: Size: 3.5 x 2 x 2.8 cm
Appearance: 1.8 x 1.4 x 2.2 cm cyst with lacy internal echoes. No internal vascularity or solid component.
Additional follicles are displaced to the periphery.
Vascular flow: Normal. Left ovary: Size: 4 x 3 x 2.8 cm
Appearance: Unilocular cyst measuring 2.7 x 2.1 x 2.4 cm without solid components or internal vascularity.
Additional follicles are displaced to the periphery. Vascular Flow: Normal.
Free Fluid: None.

Sort of related to another post I made; How do you guys not let this rule your life?

This illness comes with so many rules I feel and it's already driving me insane. I want my health issues to be a small part of my life, not my life ITSELF.

How do you guys manage PCOS while not letting it be any more than a small part of your life?

Hi.

I'm so sorry to be a nuisance here. I'm a PCOS patient but I think I'm to the point I may just call an ambulance. Only fear is I'm a Medicaid patient and it's tricky to get things covered; which has led me to needing advice from the Internet.

I've been on Metformin for about 5 years now, but my old doctor didn't know much about PCOS doses for Metformin relating to the Insulin Resistance. (Not their fault at all.) I got a new Primary Care Physician who is amazing and smart as a whip. She noticed and helped me increase my dose to a proper dosage. (I was on half the minimum of what I should have been taking.)

I'd just filled my old Metformin prescription for a 90 day coverage, and the insurance told me just to take the current supply as prescribed at my new dosage, which I followed. I had enough pills through Thursday on 7/16 and called Monday to my pharmacy in order to get a refill.

My insurance is denying a refill until this Saturday on 7/25. I had a full day's dose on 7/16 and have nothing to get a fill out of pocket. I thought it would be a little rough, but I could make it.

I haven't had anything more than water and broth since yesterday. I'm so nauseous and feeling like I'm going to puke. I only had 16 oz of water and 2 cups of beef broth (all I could get down today) a few hours ago and my stomach hurts like it's still full and I want to vomit and/or die to make it stop.

Is this normal or should I ask a neighbor for a ride to the ER?

https://www.reddit.com/r/unitedkingdom/comments/1v36p8v/more_young_women_in_their_20s_are_getting_type_2/

Women being blamed for being overweight and getting diabetes. Tried to mention PCOS but commenters seem to think we cause it all ourselves.

Fed up of the stigma of this condition.

My bloodwork is officially showing that I am insulin resistant. My doctor is confident that I can get my levels back in the normal and safe range, so he prescribed 500 mg of metformin. I tried metformin in 2020 for about a week but couldn't tolerate the constant diarrhea and nausea.

I tried this round of metformin for about a week before I called my doctor to get the ER version instead. I'm now on the ER version. It's been another week-ish but I still get diarrhea and nausea, and it's hours after I take my pill.

I'm taking it at night with a last meal/snack. I also take a probiotic about an hour or two before the metformin. Right now I'm sucking on a ginger candy because my stomach is not a happy camper.

I already have IBS as well, and in general my stomach has always been sensitive. I know beforehand that most medicines will likely cause stomach issues, but I hate feeling sick and disgusting.

I've been cleaning up my diet and being more mindful of my carbs, sugars, and portions. I've been gently adding in more fiber and protein (before starting metformin) and I've been exercising as well.

How do you folks handle the metformin issues? I feel like I want to throw in the damn towel again, but I want to get my fasting sugars and A1C in the safe range again. I just don't know if these side effects are worth it.

I was in so much pain yesterday. I knew it wasn’t my ovaries. It started as cramping in my upper belly and then I realized it hurt to push on my lower right. I know that means appendix, and I went to urgent care.

It took 3 tries in 5 hours for them to draw blood because my veins were so bad. It took two CTs because the first IV didn’t absorb it. Second CT they said showed early appendicitis but we are treating with antibiotics and waiting. I told them I have PCOS and insulin resistance, they had every opportunity to tell me if something was wrong in relation.

Then a day later I get my CT results posted to my account. Hepatic steatosis?! No one wanted to tell me this?? Just casually noticed in my FIRST CT that I had fat in my liver and no one told me. I’m devastated. I’ve been fighting my PMOS so long and hard. I did weight loss meds and stopped after an accident and I couldn’t afford them anymore.

On top of now taking antibiotics to hope I don’t burst my appendix, I now have to be thinking about Fatty Liver Disease as it relates to my PMOS?? I’m so livid, I’m meeting with my PCP after I finish my meds but I’m going to be spiraling for the next week.

I want to grow old I want to travel and have kids and not go broke watching my body decay because my metabolics are fucked up. I just need healthcare to care about it.

I was very pleased with how they handled it. They agreed with me and they said that she was 100% in the wrong and that they were sorry about how it was treated yesterday. She randomly told me out of nowhere about how PCOS and diabetes can be cured with just diet and I told them that I was already seeing a doctor for it and being treated for it. I am also not overweight either so you can get diabetes and PCOS rather your skinny or not! She just kept asking me a lot of questions about my medical conditions and then kept putting me down for it and mind you she's in a neurologist office putting wires on me for my EEG for my seizures. They told me that she is the only technician there so if they do an EEG on me next time that they will send me somewhere else to get it done and that they're glad that I came to them about it because that was not appropriate. I told them how it made me feel uncomfortable and when I meant by filing a complaint I meant telling the office about it. I'm glad that I spoke up and told them what happened because I don't want this happening to someone else and maybe they can tell her not to do this to anybody else but at least it will be in her record so in case she does this to someone else that person would not be the first to file a complaint.

Hi everyone! I did Pilates at a small local studio for a year before starting solidcore. I’ve been doing solidcore for about 3 months. It’s about time for me to decide if I want to stick with it, or go back to my Pilates studio.

I did the unlimited for both. Pilates is $150 a month and I went Monday-Friday. Solidcore is $220 a month and I only go three times a week. Solidcore feels a lot harder for me, and I sweat like crazy and I’m out of breath, whereas Pilates was always much calmer and peaceful to me. I can’t have both memberships at the same time, so as a 2027 bride with PCOS who wants to get in shape, which one would be best to continue with?

i dont have pcos, but i suspect i might. in the next month or so i plan to get bloodwork done. i have so much hair that grows back SO quick, especially facial hair. whats the best way to get rid of it? i’ve tried lazer - too expensive. threading - super painful. waxing - not ideal as i use a retinol on my skin. currently switching in between shaving with a mens razor and a dermaplaning blade

what can i do in the meantime?

Hello. I was told I had PCOS since a few years ago. I am 24 y.o and also have insulin resistance. I have high testosterone and irregular menstruation. I have been to a lot of doctor's, gynecologists, endrocrynologists and with no results. They always prescribed me contraceptives but they're not the solution of the problem. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't drinks sugary drinks and sugar, don't eat fast-food, eat complex carbs, veggies daily and no result.

​

Hi All, this is going to be a long read but I really appreciate any advice from this community which has been helpful since last couple of months.

I have been TTC since May 2025 and had a chemical pregnancy in January 2026. I noticed irregularities in my ovulation being delayed leading to delayed cycles. My fertility clinic has diagnosed me with PCOS although missed the reason as to what is causing that.

Around may 2026 through my own laboratory tests I realized my hs-CRP is high around 6.4mg/l with homa IR index of 5.9 ultimately diagnosing me with being Insulin resistant.

Starting from June 1st, with the specialist nutritionist I started a healthy diet aligning with my cycles to reduce my inflammation, insulin resistance. Since the diet started I lost 4.2kgs weight since I started my diet partially also due to Metformin 1500mg which I have been on since June 15.

Yesterday I got another blood work done and noticed my insulin resistance came down to 2.4 reducing significantly, but surprisingly my inflammation Hs-CRP has further increased to 7.3mg/l (I expected it would slightly reduce due to reduced insulin resistance)

In Oct 2025 I started with levothyroxine 25 µg as my TSH was little above normal (4.49mU/l). In February 2026 this came down further below 1.60mU/l but yesterday test results show my TSH jump to 3.64mU/l essentially doubling and free t3 as of yesterday is 3.13ng/l and free t4 is 1.60ng/l

I am really confused why my thyroid increased despite taking medication and is that the sole reason for my inflammation? Or can it be anything else?

I have noticed I don't have any egg white cervical mucus during my ovulation and sometimes it is none dry unless I dig it with my finger. For sex we cannot proceed further unless we use a lubricant.

I have an appointment with my reproductive endocrinologist in 2 weeks but I'm looking for some experience or answers here to guide me into a right path. I'm gonna bring up the question of silent endometriosis and ask if it's worth checking but otherwise I don't have painful periods or pain while intercourse situation.

One thing is I'm constantly tired and can literally sleep all day. I observed that during night time I feel warm despite the weather being cold whereas during daytime I can sleep with a thick blanket, windows closed but the same thing during night time is impossible. I sometimes even sweat during my sleep.

In my blood tests in February my u.parvum for both myself and my husband it is showing as negative. But when I asked my doctor about he said nothing to worry as majority of couples have this positive.

Any pointers from anyone is highly helpful. I'm take metformin, prenatals, vitamin d, vitamin B12, coq10, NAC

Thank you!

So I've got my diagnosis today after bloodwork and physical symptoms. I've met great doctor who acted without hesitation and I'm happy about it.

Never thought that it may be the case for me as never had any serious symptoms, but it is and now everything fits to this picture about what happened with me last couple of years (I always thought this was related to stress and anxiety disorder, but last year went for check after my cycle got very long and here I am). Happy to know which path to follow and how to care for myself.

I won't write all details of my story due to privacy, but I feel relieved and thank you all for being here 🫶

Hi all,

A little background. I've always been athletic and nutrition conscious. I'm 5'0" 180lbs and build like a brick house (I deadlift 315#).

In 2019 I decided I wanted to be hBC free after 15 years of taking it nonstop (all throughout my teenage and young adult years).

Doctors just yanked out my IUD with no pre-post bloodwork or any warnings of the hormonal roller coaster i'd be on after. I was aware from other friends who had PCOS, but I was only self diagnosed at that point and wasnt aware of the actual challenges i'd face.

In 2014-2017 I was a competitive bodybuilder and my stage weight (not healthy) was 116#. I maintained a "healthy" weight around 155/160.

2019 started with supplements (inositol/berberine/zinc/magnesium). this is when i was about 170#

2020 I started spironolactone/metformin. I had to stop because I had male pattern baldness, acne, and horrible gut issues from these. I gained up to 180#

2021 I tried more naturopathic stuff (chasteberry to trigger a cycle, etc etc) and it didnt work effectively enough to be cost beneficial

2022 Finally officially diagnosed by a wonderful Endo. I tried phentermine/topiramate. Cause psychosis/s*****al thoughts so stopped immediately... also only lost like 5lbs in the month of titrating up.

2023 I tried going back to naturopathic and incorporated yoga. I went down to 170, but then stress of moving overseas and having to find a new endocrinologist bumped me back to 180.

2024 I tried Ozempic. 6 months of the drug, and awful side effects (lethargy/ brain fog/ no creativity or expressive desire/ muscle loss) I only lost 10lbs... (back to 170).

2025 I tried naturopathic plus focused on a gut health specialist to see if I had leaky gut. I did. I went thru and entire low FODMAP protocol and found some food sensitivities (mainly gluten and lactose sensitive). My gut microbiome was basically 99% bad bacteria. The protocol helped me with identifying the dysbiosis and now I am creative/less brain fog/ more energetic than before (but still not what i would consider normal). Hanging out around 180/185.

2026 I dont want to say that i've "given up" on the natural paths. But the same gut health specialist (after looking at my hormonal panel) basically said that my testosterone/ progesterone levels are so out of whack from the past, that we need to systematically tackle them. Step 1- Progestin only BC for 6 months. Step 2- test hormones again at 3 months to see effects. Step 3- microdose Mounjaro if things still need extra improvement.

After the rollercoaster of trail and error i have been through and trying "everything" (this entire time I have never stopped being active or eating well), I am cautious to believe hBC and Mounjaro will work. I of course hope for the best, but I just want my hormones to work for me and not against me....

The one thing i have not tried is mediatation. I know that some people have discovered that childhood trauma and chronic stress can exacerbate PCOS.... and i definitely have both. So maybe I have be tapping into all the wrong "fixes" this entire time. Who knows....

However, any insight or adivce would be greatly appreciated. I dont want to be on hBC or GLP1s I want my life back. I want my spark back. Yet, I feel like i've run out of options.

Trying to keep the title scroll friendly lol.

My pee smells like popcorn. Mostly first thing in the am and late at night. I looked this up and it is alll about diabetic complications, particularly ketosis. I am insulin resistant, but I am not keto, I'm on metformin and have been for a few years, and my blood sugar hasnt shown high ketones, my diet hasnt changed. However.. i am extremely stressed rn. But going to the dr will not help if its not nessicary as finical is a large part of it lol (american). But google is scaring me a bit.

Has anyone expirenced this, was it okay? Did you figure out the cause?

Can someone please tell me how to get hirsutism in check. I am so tired and insecure. I have thick beard and even if i remove it, there are marks left. I even have ingrown hair. Is their any way to help fix it. I'm just 22 and I feel bad even going outside because of increasing male pattern hairloss, weight gain and thick hair growth on chin

Any tips for improving the health and condition of your hair while living with PCOS? When I was 24, my hair textured changed as my pcos symptoms set in. It's more frizzy and oily, and I have little thick black curly strands amongst my naturally straight brown hair which I can only put down to hormonal shifts. It's significantly thinner as well. Though I'm lucky it still grows quite long.

Are there any masks, oils or ingredient I should be using? I want healthier hair that doesn't feel so oily and rough :( I have a healthy vegan shampoo and conditioner but I've tried different brands over the years and not much seems to change it.

I am a 20 year old female and i have had irregular periods since like my first periods and i got diagnosed with pcos when i was 17, i have always been this tired person and e everyone around me just called me lazy but i couldn't even care cause you i literally had no energy to even get out of bed, but it hurt tho their words and i constantly tired to prove them wrong and never succeeded. I am so tired of the pills and i am gaining weight like crazy and my attendance is just so bad, i cant even get out of bed. How do you guys deal with it, i honestly thought i was lazy until i saw it on the internet its because of pcos. Ik i should like workout and stuff but i have no energy. I hate this.

After years of struggling I finally have my answer, I have PCOS. I’m 25 years old and fear for my future with this diagnosis, feeling hopeless and I want to get better. I can’t live like this anymore. Please any tips or tricks that helped you would so appreciated. I need to heal my body.

Background: I was on the pill for about 10 years and then went off 3 years ago when we started trying to conceive. After a bit of being off the pill, my periods became irregular and I was diagnosed with PMOS. Once I learned more about it, the insulin resistance made a lot of sense to me and tracked with symptoms I had been experiencing, even on the pill. I got treatment and have also been going to a fertility specialist.

Question: After two cycles of timed intercourse with Letrozole, I was able to conceive. But after 6 weeks I miscarried. My understanding is that PMOS increases the chances of miscarriage. However, my doctor said that PMOS does not increase likelihood of miscarriage and that age is actually the cause of what they had previously attributed to PMOS. Does anyone have any idea what study or research she might be referring to here?!? I just want to understand more about why this happened.

Did you wear like a bikini top and just moved it aside so they reached all the areas or did you just take everything off. It just feels too embarrassing to think about.

Also what were your results? I have pale skin and black hair so hoping 6 sessions would be enough to have it almost all gone...